One of the most exciting times in Mike Buxbaum’s decorated tennis career was when he received a medal for winning the District One AAA singles championship in front of friends and family. On Saturday he was ready to repeat that moment.

The North Penn senior did indeed win back-to-back district championships, but there would be no tournament ceremonies to bask in. On Friday his opponent, Unionville’s Johnny Wu chose to default from the final because of illness. No trip to the Healthplex in Springfield was necessary.

“It feels good to win District One, but I did not want to win like that,” Buxbaum said. “I have known Johnny for years and he is the type to never default. He works for every point.”

Buxbaum has had a relationship with Wu for seven years and was able to text his condolences to his under-the-weather opponent. Immediately the focus shifts toward the PIAA championships that begin May 24th at the Hershey Racquet Club.

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“I think I am definitely playing a lot better (than last year),” Buxbaum said. “Serves are always critical and keeping the forehand and ground strokes more consistent. I feel I like I have improved on both.”

Because of the predetermined opening round match-ups Wu’s default sends him to a date with the District 12 champion, which is expected to be LaSalle’s Christian Lutschaunig. It is a format that has to be accepted for time being, but in many minds is not optimal.

“Christian, Johnny Wu, along with Mike and a few other kids are the five bets kids in the state,” North Penn coach and former District Chair Toby Watton said. “Both these kids should probably be in the medal round and somebody is going to be eliminated in the first round.”

Buxbaum awaits the champion of District Nine, and if Darren Mast comes out a winner there, it would be a repeat first round matchup of a season ago. The Conestoga Valley senior is another player that Buxbaum has been aware of for close to a decade.

“I have known Darren for just as long as Johnny,” Buxbaum said. “Going through the circuit I met them and we become friends. Depending on how far they live, you go out, and hit with them.”

Buxbaum handled Mast is the first round last year and eventually made it to the state final’s where he lost to Conestoga’s Kevin Wang. With Wang lo longer in the picture, Buxbaum is ready to capture the ultimate prize in high school tennis and he is feeling better than ever.

“I think Mike has a chance to win a state championship this year,” Watton said. “If he plays well, like he can and minimizes mistakes like he has the whole year, he can win it.”

Whoever comes out of the Lutschaunig, Wu matchup could be the biggest threat to Buxbaum’s dreams. Other District One qualifiers, Conestoga’s Brian Grodecki and Council Rock North’s Mike Stanley also have their sights set on the state title.

For the North Penn senior who missed out on a chance to bring friends and family to see him on the medal stand this Saturday, you better believe he is going to do whatever it takes to make it happen in Hershey.

“I don’t want any down time,” Buxbaum said. “The next two weeks are critical to get prepared for states. Anything under a state title would be a disappointment. You have to set your goals high.”